Australia likely to arrive in India earlier than scheduled

Australia are likely to arrive a week earlier than expected, to acclimatise ahead of the Test series. Though Cricket Australia and the Indian board are yet to confirm the dates, as per the team's flight details, Australia will head to Jaipur and stay there till September 30.

According to the original schedule, Australia were to land on September 29 and head to Hyderabad for the four-day fixture against a Board President's XI from October 2 to 5. But before this match the visitors will play a Rajasthan side during their stay in Jaipur.

A CA spokesman said they were due to spend six days in Jaipur and intended to play a practice game. "The details of who it will be against and the dates are still to be confirmed," he said. "But we expect to play a two-day match."

The BCCI said though it was aware of the Australians' early arrival, it was yet to receive any official confirmation from CA. "We are aware of them playing an additional practice game against an RCA team but it is not official yet", a BCCI media spokesperson said.

As reported earlier, a two-day practice game in Jaipur is slotted for September 27 and 28 against the Rajasthan Cricket Associations's Centre of Excellence. Incidentally, Greg Chappell, who is the head at centre, and who was recently appointed the director of the Australian Academy's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, is expected to help the Australians in their preparations.